Police: Man tried to lure children in Colerain Twp.

Police are investigating two attempted child abductions in Colerain Township.

The first case happened about 3:45 p.m. on Feb. 19 on Ripplegrove Drive, police said.

A 12-year-old boy said he was walking from home to pick up his younger brother at the bus stop when a man driving a red SUV opened his door, yelling "get in."

The man, described as a white man in his 50s with a bushy gray beard, asked the boy if needed "a lift," police said.

Police said an 11-year-old girl told them that she was playing Friday at Windon Drive and Leota Lane when a man stopped his car and approached her while holding on to the car's door handle.

The man, described as a white man with gray hair and a patchy beard, asked the girl if she would help him look for his brother-in-law's great Dane.

The girl told police that two younger girls, about 4 or 5 years old, were in the vehicle, which she said was red.

Police said the two cases appear to be related, although they're not sure if the incidents are connected with similar cases in Butler County.

"Regardless of what the person is saying to them, they're doing the right thing," said Lt. Mark Denney, of Colerain Township police. "They're taking off running, they're telling a parent, they're calling the police and that's exactly what we want them to do."

Officers said a license plate number was mistakenly released and then shared on social media, although they could not confirm it was connected to the case.

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